Strawberry plant named &#39;Romina&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘Romina’ particularly characterized by high adaptability to non-fumigated soil, very early ripening, good taste with high sweetness, high firmness and shelf life, is disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from EU Community Plant Variety Rights (CPVR) application no. 20111275, filed May 30, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Fragaria×ananassa

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Romina’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct June-bearing strawberry variety designated ‘Romina’ and botanically known as Fragaria×ananassa. This new strawberry variety was discovered in Cesena, Italy in 1999 and originated from a cross between the female parent, selection ‘95,617,1’ (unpatented, Selection of National Breeding Programme Strawberry Project—Italy) and the male parent, cultivar ‘Darselect’ (EU CPVR Grant no. 1763 and U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,402). ‘Romina’ was first fruited at the ‘P. Rosati’ Experimental Farm of Universitá Politecnica delle Marche in Ancona, Italy in 2001, where it was selected and originally designated AN99,78,51.

The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have been applied for in Europe on May 30, 2011 having CPVR application no. 20111275. ‘Romina’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Ancona, Italy.

1. High adaptability to non-fumigated soil;

2. Very early ripening;

3. Good taste with high sweetness; and

4. High firmness and shelf life.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new variety at various stages of development. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken from ten-month-old plants.

FIG. 1 shows the whole fruit.

FIG. 2 shows upper and lower surfaces of the leaves of the plant with three leaflets.

FIG. 3 shows overall plant habit including fruit at various stages of development.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Romina’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Ancona, Italy in 2009-2012. ‘Romina’ was evaluated on non-fumigated soil having the following characteristics: pH 7.9, active calcium at 9%, and texture composed at 40% clay, 25% sand and 35% silt. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘Romina’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘Romina’ was taken from ten-month-old plants. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Rosaceae.         -   Species.—Fragaria×ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘Romina’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—‘95,617,1’ (unpatented, selection of National             Breeding Programme Strawberry Project — Italy).         -   Male parent.—‘Darselect’ (EU CPVR Grant no. 1763; U.S. Plant             Pat. No. 10,402). -   Plant:     -   -   Growth habit.—Upright.         -   Height.—40.4 cm.         -   Diameter.—30.5 cm.         -   Number of crowns/plant.—3.8. -   Terminal leaflets:     -   -   Size.—Length: 9.55 cm Width: 10.07 cm Length/width ratio:             0.95.         -   Number of teeth/terminal leaflet.—70.4.         -   Shape of teeth.—Rounded.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 141C Lower surface: RHS 142C.         -   Shape in cross section.—Concave.         -   Blistering.—Medium.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Base shape.—Rounded.         -   Apex descriptor.—Rounded.         -   Pubescence density.—Moderate.         -   Margin.—Serrate to crenate.         -   Texture.—Medium.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate Color: Upper surface: RHS 142D             Lower surface: RHS 149D. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—28.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.42 cm.         -   Pubescence density.—Moderate.         -   Pose of hairs.—Perpendicular.         -   Color.—RHS 149C.         -   Texture.—Medium. -   Petiolule:     -   -   Length.—2.68 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.22 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 149C. -   Stipule:     -   -   Length.—3.63 cm.         -   Width.—0.63 cm.         -   Texture.—Medium.         -   Anthocyanin.—Medium.         -   Color.—RHS 150D. -   Stolon:     -   -   Diameter at bract.—0.32 cm.         -   Average number of daughter plants.—35.         -   Anthocyanin.—Medium.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Pubescence density.—Moderate. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Most internal, some even.         -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—March 30.         -   Corolla.—Shape: Rounded Length: 3.62 cm Width: 3.73 cm.         -   Petals.—Shape: Rounded Apex: Truncate to slightly obtuse             Base: Attenuate Margin: Entire Spacing: Touching Length:             1.48 cm Width: 1.36 cm Length/width ratio: 1.09 Color of             upper side: White Texture: Medium.         -   Calyx.—Diameter: 3.88 cm Diameter relative to corolla: Same             size Inner calyx diameter relative to outer: Same size             Attitude of calyx segments: Upwards, some outwards.         -   Sepal.—Margin: Entire Length: 1.4 cm Width: 0.51 cm Typical             and observed sepal number per flower: 11.1 Color: RHS 145B.         -   Peduncle.—Length: 10.9 cm Diameter: 0.39 cm Color: RHS 149B. -   Fruit:     -   -   Size.—Large.         -   Length.—4.14 cm.         -   Width.—3.43 cm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.21 (Longer than broad).         -   Hollow center (cavity).—Absent or small.         -   Weight (per individual berry).—19.8 g.         -   Predominant fruit shape.—Conical or biconical.         -   Difference in shape between primary and secondary             fruits.—Primary fruits are much larger than secondary             fruits.         -   Skin color.—RHS 33A.         -   Evenness of fruit color.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Achenes.—Insertion of achenes: Level with surface, some to             below surface Color: Yellow Width of band without achenes:             Absent or very narrow.         -   Firmness of flesh (when fully ripe).—Firm; 444 g (as             detected by penetrometer with 6 mm probe).         -   Firmness of skin.—Firm.         -   Internal color.—RHS 33D.         -   Sweetness.—Strong; 7.5° Brix.         -   Acidity.—Weak; 9.8 meq NaOH/100 g.         -   Type of bearing.—Not remontant; June-bearing.         -   Grams of fruit/plant.—874.0 g.         -   Yield.—Medium.         -   Time of ripening (50% of plants with first ripe fruit): Very             early; May 5. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: Not available

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

When ‘Romina’ is compared to the female parent ‘95,617,1’ (unpatented, selection of National Breeding Programme Strawberry Project—Italy), ‘Romina’ has fruit with higher firmness, darker color and higher sugar content, whereas ‘95,617,1’ has fruit with lower firmness, more pale color and lower sugar content.

When ‘Romina’ is compared to the male parent ‘Darselect’ (EU CPVR Grant no. 1763; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,402), ‘Romina’ has earlier production, higher firmness and higher productivity, whereas ‘Darselect’ has later production, lower firmness, and lower productivity.

When ‘Romina’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘Florida Fortuna’ (Registered in the U.S. as ‘Florida Radiance’ with U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,363), ‘Romina’ has more red brick colored fruit, later production and a more vigorous plant, whereas ‘Florida Fortuna’ has less red color, earlier production and a less vigorous plant. 

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘Romina’ as described and shown herein. 